The Sharjah Art Foundation (SAF) Production Programme broadens the possibilities for the production of art in the MENASA region through a commitment to support innovation and excellence in artistic practice by encouraging risk and experimentation. This commitment places artists at the core of the Foundation’s mission by offering grants and professional support for the realisation of projects selected from an open call for proposals.

The past decade has seen an extraordinary rise in artistic activity throughout the Middle East, resulting in an increased visibility for artists both regionally and internationally. Within this context, the Foundation hopes to promote and encourage an environment of public and private patronage for the highest level of artistic endeavour. This programme focuses on supporting artists in their individual attempts to create work on a scale they have perhaps never imagined possible.

Arts practitioners are invited to propose imaginative, ambitious and inspirational projects that will transform our understanding of what art is and how it can be experienced. With this initiative we hope to engage and challenge the artists, our audiences and ourselves aesthetically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, politically or in ways new and unexpected.

In 2014 we are offering production grants to artists working in a range of media including sculpture, installation, time-based media, artist’s books and performance. Up to a total of $200,000 is available in this application cycle. The success of a proposal will be determined by merit rather than budget. To this end, projects with budgets that range from modest to ambitious scales will be considered. The submission deadline is 31 January 2014 and selections will be announced in March. The selected projects will be developed and produced by the artist and the Sharjah Art Foundation, with presentation of the completed project as agreed between the artist(s) and SAF.

The Production Programme was launched in 2008. Over 500 submissions have been received, 230 applications considered and 31 projects selected for production.

This website should give you all the information you need to know to apply for the 2014 Production Programme. Please read it carefully before you complete the attached application form. If you have any further questions, please direct them to productionprogramme@sharjahart.org.